Thursday, January 1, 2009

Plants for Winter Interest

An important goal of a garden designer is to design gardens that will provide year-round interest. This is a simple task if one can identify and use plants that bloom in each season of the year. While it is easy to choose plants during their growing season as we can clearly see the plant's form, foliage and flower, it is sometimes tougher to find those plants that will make strong additions to the garden while dormant. There are many hardy garden plants that can provide plenty of interest and enjoyment throughout the winter months.

The color and structure of plants such as the red-stemmedCornus alba (Red Twig Dogwood) and evergreen Liriope muscari(Liriope) can greatly enhance the winter garden.

While evergreens are the “backbone” of the garden and provide structure and interest all year long, a few are winter stand-outs. Many of the Ilex species (Hollies) produce bright red berries in early winter and retain them all winter long. Some of these hollies include Fosters, Emily Brunners, Nellie Stevens and American.

When it comes to winter-flowering plants in the south, Camellias are king. Camellia sasanqua (Sasanqua) blooms from October through December while Camellia japonica (Common Camellia) starts blooming in January and can last well into April. Both are large shiny-leaved evergreen shrubs that are beautiful year-round.

Daphne odora (Winter Daphne) has striking evergreen variegated foliage and its very fragrant flowers start blooming in late January and can last through March. Plant these plants near a pathway or entrance where their fragrance can be enjoyed in winter.

Pyracantha sp. (Firethorn) is another evergreen shrub that is often espaliered against buildings and walls. While it flowers in May, it produces brilliant orange, red or yellow berries in fall and winter. It grows to 5 to 6-feet in height.

Although nandina species are interesting year round, their leaves turn a brilliant red in winter. Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ (Firepower Nandina) is a smaller variety of this evergreen shrub that has pale chartreuse leaves in summer and brilliant red leaves in winter.

Witch hazels can grow to become a large shrub or small tree. They bloom from Fall to late winter in shades of yellow, orange or red.

In March, Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) produces large white-petaled flowers before it leafs out. It is best to plant this large shrub or small tree in front of a backdrop of large evergreens where its beautiful blooms will stand out.

Star Magnolias are prized for their large white blooms in late winter.

Deciduous trees such as Acer palmatum “Sango Kaku” (Sango Kaku Japanese Maple), Betula nigra (River Birch), Prunus sp. (Cherry) and Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle) all make striking additions to the winter garden. Not because of any bloom they may produce, but rather, because of their interesting bark and structure.

While River birches and Crape myrtles have peeling or exfoliating bark, Cherrys have a highly polished and smooth bark.

Lastly, there are many grasses, groundcovers, vines and perennials that add spectacular structure to the garden in winter. Even though the foliage of grasses such as Miscanthes sp. (maiden grass), Pennisetum sp. (fountain grass), and Panicum sp. (switchgrass) dies with the cold weather, their form still provides striking winter structure and beauty.

To get a first hand look at some of these plants in action, pay a visit to your local arboreta or garden center in mid-winter. The real stars of the winter garden will quickly make their presence known!

Hi! Great info. I have no clue how to garden but I know I want evergreen plants/shrubs so I have life year round. But I live in Buffalo, NY. U live in NC, do you think these plants will really work as described through our tough winter? My name is Molly & my email is ralphspandxpants@hotmail.com if you wouldn't mind? Thanks!

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About Me

I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. I love writing, plants, garden design and architecture. As a practicing and registered Landscape Architect living and working in southeastern North Carolina, I have devoted my professional life to helping others create meaningful and beautiful outdoor spaces for living. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and educating others about the things I am most passionate about.

March Plant of the Month

Oxalis regnelli, otherwise known as the Shamrock, is the most recognized symbol of Ireland and is often associated with the Irish and St. Patrick's Day. Otherwise known as woodsorrel, it was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland. Its leaves formed a triad and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th Century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland. In later years, it was worn on the lapel. Hence the slogan "wearin' of the green."

To all my friends in Blogland, Happy St. Patrick's Day!May the roof above us never fall in. And may the friends gathered below it never fall out!